The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has established an eight-member Conflict Prevention Council in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. This move aims to strengthen community-based peacebuilding structures in the region. The inauguration, which took place on 26 September, was part of a broader peacebuilding programme. The programme brought together about 30 participants from the four clans in Onna for training on mediation, early warning and early response mechanisms, and conflict management strategies.
The peacebuilding programme was chaired by Emmanuel Ikpe, a criminology and peacebuilding consultant from Eket Local Government Area. He commended PIND for its sustained investment in peacebuilding across the Niger Delta. Kufre Essien, PIND’s peacebuilding consultant, facilitated the capacity-building session. The eight members inducted into the council include the wife of the paramount ruler, Nwaowo Raymond Inyang, Etebom Itiat, Aniefiok Ekim, Friday Inyang, Imoh Eshiet, Maria Etuk, Regina Udonsek and Wilson Akpan.
The Paramount Ruler of Onna, Raymond Inyang, expressed gratitude to PIND for introducing the Prevent Council structure to the local government area. He stated that the council would work closely with the traditional institution to prevent conflicts, promote peaceful coexistence and foster unity among the four clans. Mr Inyang pledged the traditional institution’s support for sustaining peace and development in Onna.
The inauguration of the Conflict Prevention Council comes amid renewed calls for sustained investment in conflict prevention across Akwa Ibom. On 22 September, the Akwa Ibom State Conflict Prevention Council described peace in the state as “relatively stable but fragile.” They identified land and boundary disputes, chieftaincy tensions and youth-related issues as ongoing threats to peaceful coexistence.
The Akwa Ibom State Conflict Prevention Council noted that the relative stability in the state should not be seen as an absence of conflict risks. They called for continuous investment in early warning and early intervention mechanisms. The council attributed part of its peacebuilding capacity to the technical, logistical and capacity-building support provided by PIND.
The call for increased investment in peacebuilding is particularly relevant to communities facing disputes over land, resources and development. Earlier this month, the Akwa Ibom State Government intervened in a lingering land dispute involving the Mbak people, six host communities, Ibom Mortgage Bank, Citadel Value Homes and other stakeholders in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. The government urged the parties to engage in dialogue and avoid actions that could threaten peace in the affected communities.
Onna has faced environmental and socio-economic pressures due to its status as an oil-producing community. In June, stakeholders from Onna demanded greater accountability from oil companies and regulatory agencies over gas flaring, environmental pollution and the implementation of host-community provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act. The newly inaugurated council is expected to provide a local platform for identifying and addressing emerging disputes and tensions before they escalate.
Key points
- The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has launched an eight-member Conflict Prevention Council in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
- The council aims to strengthen community-based peacebuilding structures in the oil-producing area.
- The inauguration is part of PIND's peacebuilding programme, which includes training on mediation, early warning and early response mechanisms, and conflict management strategies.
